It can be difficult to make friends as an adult, especially those you connect with and have similar interests and passions. It's okay if some of your friends don't share your outdoor interests, but you're missing out on amazing friendships if you don't make the effort and open yourself up to meeting friends who you'll make a deep connection with. Creating memories that last a lifetime can happen with friends you meet on your first backpacking trip, while learning how to snowshoe, or the dedicated hours you spent earning your certification to be an instructor.
Take these tips on how to make long-lasting friendships as an adult based on authentic, real connections.
Take a class or a lesson
Learning a new skill is a productive use of your time and many classes can lead you to see the same people in the same place each week. Getting familiar with someone is a first step towards friendship. The more time that you spend together, the friendlier you'll be with the people in your class. Adventurous women can find a wide range of classes offered through REI, including backcountry navigation, cross-country skiing classes, backpacking stoves and water treatment skills for camping, and more.
Join a club
As an adult we don't have the dedicated period of time with our peers like we had in school -- but we still have clubs! There are hundreds of clubs for everything you can imagine; you just need to discover them. Think about your end goal, like meeting new friends who have a healthy lifestyle and prioritize spending time on the water. Then hop on Facebook and search for clubs in the 'groups' section. You may be surprised just how many niche clubs are eager to welcome new members.
Become an instructor
Teaching classes can open you up to meeting new friends, both students and other instructors. You'll meet other people who share the same interests as you and who show the courage and drive to learn and experience new things.
Find a place that feels like home, and hang out there
Whether it's a cozy coffeeshop that plays your favorite music genre or a beach park that always raises your energy, spend more time in places that make you feel good. These spots will attract other people who gravitate towards the same things you do.
Go on a guided hike-through
You might love your friends but maybe they're not the type who are willing to wake up early and hike mountain trails with you. You're not alone! It can be hard to find female friends who will adventure and get dirty, yet there are so many out there. Don't miss out on adventure -- sign up for a guided hiking trip to those bucket list trails. Book a hiking tour with a company like Wildland Trekking that do all of the planning and preparation for you -- that other women like yourself will be booking solo, too.
Go on a women's surfing retreat
Spending time with someone around the clock is the quickest way to get to know someone. Combine that with the bonding that developing your skills and learning new things brings, and you have the perfect formula to meet new friends. Find women's surfing retreats and book the trip of your dream in locations like Bali and Costa Rica with Pura Vida Adventures and Nicaragua, the Maldives, Indonesia, Morocco, Portugal and more with Surf With Amigas.
Join an all-women's group and learn to heli-ski
Have you ever dreamed of getting dropped off on the top of a remote, powder-covered mountain peak by a helicopter? Make your dreams come true and meet some incredible women while heli-skiing in Canada with CMH Heli-skiing. Ask about their all-women groups with female instructors and helicopter pilots!
Resorts are full of happy, friendly strangers
Fact: people on vacation are happier than people not on vacation. When we're on vacation we act like we have an entirely different personality, filled with curiosity and openness to meet friendly strangers. Think about it -- are several of your close friends people you met within the first month of moving to a new city or starting something new? That's why talking up friendly strangers at ski resorts, mountain biking resorts and beach resorts offer a low-entry barrier to meeting new friends.
Ask for advice
People love sharing tips on their hobbies and passing along their knowledge to newbs. Ask other skiers if they like their gear and if they have any brands to recommend. Ask the salesperson at REI what their favorite hiking trails are, or launch spots for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. When you see someone doing the hobbies you love or meet someone who has expertise at something you want to get good at, ask questions! More than likely they'd love to share their knowledge and experience.
Go to local movie premieres
Outdoor culture has movie premieres that you won't want to miss! Cultures within the outdoor lifestyle like surfing and skiing have annual film festivals that showcase the best independent films of the year. It's a time for enthusiasts in the local community to gather and watch films featuring the culture they love. These events are a great place to meet like-minded people in your community and future friends. Check out listings for nationwide events like the Surf Film Festival, Banff Film Festival, Kendal Mountain Festival, Radical Reels and the Warren Miller Film.
Wear clothing that shows off your personality
Wear hats, beanies, t-shirts and hoodies that show the names of your favorite bands, national parks, local shops, restaurants and travel destinations. These can be great conversation starters and signal to future friends that you share the same interests.
Get a certification or license
When is the last time you got a certification or earned a license? Learning something new increases vulnerability, which creates an environment primed for bonding. It's never too late to get certified in reiki, off-grid home building or getting a motorcycle license.
Follow up with people you met randomly
You never know where you'll hit it off with someone-- Craigslist friends can be friends for life! Don't rule these people out for future friends. If you felt like you shared a connection with the woman who just bought your dining room table on OfferUp, reach out and ask if she'd like to grab coffee sometime.
Go to the city where you feel your best self
Do you ever feel like the city you live in just doesn't suit your preferred lifestyle or that most of the residents don't get you? It can be really difficult to make friends if the area that you're spending the most time in doesn't attract the types of personalities you'd like to meet. Begin reading about and exploring cities that prioritize the things you're passionate about, whether it's a strong biking culture, streets lined with small businesses, or an incredible farmers market. Make an effort to visit those cities, trying them out for a few days at a time and begin to ask yourself if it's time to move.
Join a workout program with a community
Finding the motivation to workout consistently can be tough. Having a workout program to follow can help reinforce the habit, and workout programs with a community aspect can help introduce you to like-minded friends. At home workout programs like Street Parking have friendly Facebook groups for members to connect and share their experience about the workout of the day.
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